Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

Late Spring, 1966

The Rosier Family Estate (England).

Late Spring, 1966.

"How'd you get a wand?"

The way the little boy asks the question ...

His tone, so serious.

And at the same time, indicative of far more than mere curiosity.

... It's thinly veiled jealousy.

Taken aback by the edge he hears in the other boy's tone, the blond child stares back, completely unsure what to make of the new companion that's been forced on him, this strange boy who arrived in his playroom earlier this afternoon.

Continuing to hold the stare, Henry Mulciber tries once more, "There's no way you've actually got your own wand. That'd be highly illegal. They'd put you in Azkaban for it."

Eyebrow raised, Evan just shrugs.

While he's British, his split upbringing between his family home here and the one in France has given him the most charming hint of a French accent. Though sadly he'll lose it over the years, it can be heard clearly now as he speaks, "... It's not a real wand. Just for pretend. Make-believe."

His superior expression breaking into one of surprised amusement, the other little boy begins to laugh, "Not real? How stupid!"

"Is not!"

"Oh yes it is! Who wants a dumb, fake wand?"

"Nothing dumb about it. My best friend gave it to me."

Crossing his arms at this, the black eyed boy's expression immediately switches back to cold and threatening, "Best friend?"

"That's right."

"Who's your best friend?"

"Reggie."

To this six year old, it's the most obvious answer in the world:

Reggie.

Reggie Black.

Who else?

But Evan's new playmate hasn't met Reggie - doesn't know a thing about Reggie. Not yet, at least.

... Henry's a bit of a troubled boy, you see; and that's a secret his doting father and mother take great pains to hide from the rest of the world, from the elite society they belong to.

Henry -

Henry's different.

Thoughts they privately acknowledge, though even that came only after great resistance in the face of the glaringly obvious. And both his parents are hoping - quite ardently, in fact - that in a few years time Henry will grow out of his aggression; his tendency towards violence.

It's precisely why Henry's father read him the riot act this morning -

It's the reason why Henry knows there'll be severe repercussions if he hurts his new playmate.

Well, if anyone finds out he hurts his new playmate, should he choose to.

As to that ... he hasn't decided yet one way or the other.

Another step forward, and he's now the closest he's been to Evan. Evan, with his shockingly blue eyes, the bluest eyes Henry's ever seen. Eyes that are completely fascinating to him.

"Is it at least charmed? Does it cast any simple spells?"

At this, Evan dares to snort incredulously, "Don't be thick. Of course not. But all the same -"

A dismissive scoff from Henry as he interrupts, "- Then I was right. It's a stupid thing; a useless toy."

That hurts Evan's feelings; he's a very sensitive boy, though he doesn't show it. And the idea of someone teasing him about a gift from his best friend? He doesn't take to that, not one bit.

Stomping his foot down assertively on the wooden floorboards, Evan leans towards Henry and snarls, "Well I love it. What do you know, anyway? Bet you don't even have a best friend."

Something immediately changes in Henry's expression upon hearing this.

A displeased frown at the idea of someone daring to challenge him, followed by another step forward as he reaches out, his hand clapping down tightly over Evan's, over the toy wand as they begin to wrestle for control of it.

"Hey!"

"'Hey,' yourself!"

"Let go!"

"No!"

"Let go right now or you'll break it -"

"- Good!"

But before Evan can say anything else, Henry Mulciber's other hand grabs at Evan's shirt, pulling him close as he hisses, his dark eyes flashing dangerously, "I'll tell you what I know - I know lots, Evan Rosier. I know that wand's still a weapon."

"... How's that?"

"I could poke someone's eyes out with that wand."

Stunned, Evan stares back at him, his own eyes widening in shock, "Why would you -"

"- Or a cat for that matter. Even better. No challenge though. I could tie a cat down and listen to it screech bloody murder while I poke into its eyes over and over till there's nothing left."

Evan's truly terrified now. Evan has a cat: Occamy, a beautiful brown and white Scottish Fold.

... This strange boy better not be talking about Occamy!

Because if he is -

As Evan's thoughts and heart race with panic, Henry suddenly releases his hold on him and begins laughing as though he'd just said the funniest thing in the world.

Stepping back, Evan feels frozen in fear at being alone in the playroom with this strange boy.

But Henry merely rolls his eyes and turns his attention from the wand to Evan's expensive toy model quidditch stadium, "Fooled you, Evan Rosier. I scared you! You're just a big baby!"

But Evan is so much more than scared; in this moment, Evan is completely terrified.